in! Oh, if mother sees him it will frighten her to
death!"

They reached the upper floor and the end of the hall which divided it
into two sections, and from whence a ladder ran upright to a trapdoor
opening on the sloping roof. The scuttle had been left open for
ventilation, and up this steep stairway Luis was pointing with wild
gestures.

Again Aunt Sally caught and shook the little fellow, but he could make
no better business of talking than before. Jessica had not waited for
more than one glance into the empty chamber where the sick children
had been cared for, since it was more quiet than the customary
bed-room below; and that glance, added to Luis' gesticulations, told
her story.

"Oh, he's walking in his sleep again! He's gone on the roof!"

The next the reporter realized she had climbed the ladder and
disappeared through the scuttle. He forgot that he was, or had been,
ill, and followed her, only to pause at the sight which met him as his
head protruded through the opening. It was a house of many gables, and
upon the peak of the farthest one poised Ned in his night-clothes,
slowly swinging his arms in the circular fashion children adopt
preparatory to a leap or spring.

"One!" counted the childish voice. "Two!"

Ninian closed his eyes, as if by so doing he might shut his ears to
the final "Three!" which would mark the fatal leap.

CHAPTER XVI.

JESSICA GETS HER WISH

Ninian Sharp had closed his eyes against a catastrophe which,
seemingly, nothing less than a miracle could prevent. When he opened
them again the miracle had been performed.

Love had lent to Jessica a strength and swiftness almost incredible
even to her active body, and she had crossed the steep, slated roof
just in time to clasp Ned's feet and to drag him backward with her as
she rolled down upon the broader portion. Yet even here was imminent
danger, for the lad was struggling, in his sudden awakening, and the
pair were slipping hopelessly toward the eaves.

But now was the reporter's chance and the test of his athletic
training. He threw himself prone upon the slippery slates, worming his
lean person over them till he caught the girl's frock, and bidding her
"hold fast!" drew both the children slowly toward the scuttle. When
his feet had found the edge of this the danger was past; and they were
presently down upon the hall floor, laughing and sobbing together in
one excited group. That is, the sister was sobbing and Ninian